The Falcons have been the surprise package after three rounds of the Vodacom Cup while the established unions have struggled. Michael Vlismas reports.

John Williams has been able to pick his side up from a disastrous Currie Cup last year to be unbeaten on 14 points after three weeks of competition. The real disappointments so far have been the Vodacom Cheetahs, Vodacom Western Province and the Lions.

The Cheetahs and the Lions have only played two games, so they have an opportunity to make amends. However Province have already lost two of their three games and have looked out-of-sorts to say the least with their weakened team. Things looked better on Friday night for them, however, with a 47-42 victory over Griquas in Kimberley. But there seem to be problems down at Newlands.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls, another of the powerhouse unions, are also not quite on song having lost to the Wildebeest last week, and struggling again this week against the Border Bulldogs in East London. Ashley Evert’s side trailed 21-13 at halftime but picked up the pieces to run out 39-21 winners.

The Cheetahs fell victim to the in form Falcons losing 26-15, and this after a 36-8 defeat at the hands of the Blue Bulls in their first game. The Falcons had Riaan Viljoen to thank for the win, scoring 16 points via four penalties and two conversions. The Lions came unstuck in a traditionally tough fixture against the Pumas up in Witbank.

Casper Steyn has been in sublime form thus far in the competition. The Pumas utility back scored 22 points, including six penalties, to lead his side to the summit of the log table with a 35-29 victory. In Friday night’s other game the Leopards recorded their first win of the season, beating a spirited Mighty Elephants 33-32 in Port Elizabeth. The North West men, however, remain near the bottom of the table.Saturday’s solitary game saw the Eagles lose their third match in a row as the Griffons prevailed 33-23 to move to third on the table.